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Your Letters - May 8 edition

My name is Bonnie Kingsley and I am a volunteer. With that statement you might wonder if I am attending group therapy to receive support for an out of control addiction. That is not quite the case, even though sometimes I do feel a bit challenged trying to keep up with everything. I volunteer because I know how much it helps to make our community more interesting and entertaining. I volunteer to meet new friends, to occupy free time, to promote organizations that I think are an important part of the fabric of our community.

There are so many areas and organizations in our community that are in great need of support and volunteers. Think of it as "Paying it Forward" when you give of your time and talents. For every person who gives of themselves the ripples spread and the effects are felt by many. That, my friends, is one of the best things about our community. We have many volunteer organizations that provide for some of the most wonderful events in our area. Those events would not continue except for the generosity of time and talent given by our friends and neighbors. I know many of those organizations are struggling to keep up with the needs of our community, to continue to provide those often enjoyed events and to find fresh new volunteers to help out.

Deciding where and when to offer your talents may be a challenge. I encourage you to reach out in the areas of your interests and strengths. Give it a try when you are asked. You may be surprised to see how many places you would be welcomed with open arms and honored as a volunteer. Churches, schools, hospitals, community organizations, local clubs, groups and events are all waiting for you to share your time and talents. Get involved, help organize, help promote, read to a child, donate your efforts, give smiles and spread good will. Ask if an organization needs a little help. Introduce yourself and let your availability be known. Even if you only have a short amount of time to offer, it may be the answer to a prayer. This activity makes our community a wonderful place to live, a great place to raise a family, to own a part in shaping our future and to be an integral piece of the life of our town. Through this activity, you may benefit most of all.

There is nothing more beautiful than one someone reaches out a hand to help. Not so many years ago, this community benefitted from many volunteers and organizations that came forward to help after the devastation of a tornado that struck our town. The awesome power in those volunteers made short work of much that needed doing and we are so much the better for it. Everything that can benefit from volunteers can be affected in much the same way. Step up and help out and watch the ripples spread.

When I returned to the Wadena area some 17 years ago, I wanted to live in a place where my kids would be safe and comfortable. I wanted to reconnect with my roots and to share this with my kids. I wanted them to see the importance of being part of a community. I shared with them how volunteering can make your life that much more interesting. I started volunteering within my church, through the American Cancer Society, through the Wadena Chamber of Commerce, in the Wadena Area Community Band, through the Miss Wadena Scholarship Pageant and through the Wadena Area Concert Association. My days are full now that I have my full time Rural Mail Carrier position, but I still volunteer for several organizations. Please join me in making our community better than ever! My name is Bonnie Kingsley and I am a volunteer.

Bonnie Kingsley

Wadena, Minn.

Friendly Rider rule is inconsistently enforced

I am writing this letter to express my opinion. As a passenger of the Friendly Rider bus in Wadena, I witnessed something that disturbs me. Friendly Rider has a new rule that was enacted in November of last year. It states that they do not want anyone to have liquid on the bus unless it comes in a bottle. That means no cups with plastic lids. Now normally I can see this rule, but i have personally witnessed some of the drivers not enforcing this rule except when it comes to me. I ask you, is this fair? I think not.

If I cannot have my favorite beverage to hold on the bus to drink at a later date - then neither should anyone else. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. If the Friendly Rider drivers are going to enforce this rule, they should enforce it for everyone and all drivers should have to enforce it.

Kayleen Schmitz

Wadena, Minn.

Benefit scheduled for Klawitter and Ortmann

I am writing this letter to inform the community of a benefit WDC staff and students are organizing for local teachers Mike Ortmann and Craig Klawitter.

Mr. Klawitter and Mr. Ortmann have both been instrumental in our high school and community for a very long time. Both have been diagnosed with forms of cancer since the first of the year. Both require intensive and aggressive treatment that is very expensive and requires them to travel extensively. The students and staff at Wadena-Deer Creek are planning a benefit for the two men on Saturday, May 31 at the Wadena Elks Lodge from 4 to 8 p.m. We will raise money by holding a silent auction, raffling off prizes and holding a live auction at the event.

We hope to see as many folks as possible at the event as these two have touched many lives in Wadena and the surrounding communities. If you are willing to make a monetary donation or provide items that could be used for the auctions or raffles, we would welcome that as well.

Donations can be dropped off at the WDC 5-12 office or be mailed to WDC HS, Attn: Donna Sartell, 600 Colfax Ave. S.W., Wadena, MN, 56482. Please donate by May 16.